i94 THE REVOLUTION OF JULY [1824-1830
Parliament met, now that the insurrection was certain of success,
and set up a Provisional Government. But the Orleanist group
were plotting to turn the stream of revolution in their own
favour. On 30th July they placarded the streets with a manifesto
drawn up by Thiers. Charles X could never show his face in
Paris again, it said, for he had shed the blood of the people. A
republic would divide the nation in a terrible conflict and would
embroil France with the Powers. " The Duke of Orleans is a
prince devoted to the cause of the Revolution. He was at
Jemappes. He would be a citizen-king. He has carried the
tricolore under fire, he alone can still carry it. He will respect
our rights, for it will be from us that he holds his own." Orleans
had hitherto kept tactfully in the background, but Thiers now
sent for him to appear before the Provisional Government,
which nominated him " Lieutenant-General of the Kingdom "
—whatever that might mean. King Charles now hurriedly
withdrew his Ordinances; but it was too late : the deputies
refused even to receive his messenger.
It seemed unlikely that the republican mob which had
mastered the royal forces would accept any form of monarchical
government; but Thiers won over Lafayette to the view that a
constitutional monarchy was the only practical solution of the
situation. Showing admirable nerve in the crisis, Orleans made
his way through the hostile crowd outside the Hotel de Ville,
and appeared on the balcony along with Lafayette, bearing a
Vicolor flag. Lafayette made a speech recommending that the
welfare of France should be entrusted to him, and ended by
embracing him amid the cheers of all beholders. Thus was the
fate of France settled by a sentimental coup de theatre.
King Charles was at last convinced that the game was up so
far as he personally was concerned, but he hoped to save the
cause of legitimacy by abdicating in favour of his grandson. He
wrote to Orleans, confirming him as " Lieutenant-General of
the Realm " until " Henri V " should be of age. Orleans
replied in a private letter filled with protestations of loyalty,
but he said nothing about it to his supporters; and when the